Cell Tissue Culture Using Soluble Holding Material Separation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for culturing cell tissues using bioprinting face challenges in preventing damage to the fragile cell tissues during substrate removal, leading to low recovery efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A production method involving linear printing of cells between two substrates with both ends supported, followed by filling a soluble liquid holding material that cures, and separating the cell tissue by cutting out the cured material from the substrates, using a bioprinting culture device with a separation unit to facilitate easy substrate detachment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the substrate is removed after cell culture to recover the cell tissue, then the cell tissue can be recovered for further use, but the fragile cell tissue may be damaged during substrate removal, lowering the recovery efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverecovery efficiencyVSAvoiddamage to cell tissue

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a water-soluble polymer material as an intermediary substance between the substrate and the cell tissue. This holding material is filled between the substrate and the cell during culture, then dissolved in water to release the cell tissue without direct mechanical contact during separation. The intermediary material protects the fragile cell tissue from damage while enabling efficient recovery.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If both ends of the cell are supported on substrates during culture, then muscle fibers and sarcomeric structures can form properly, but the cell tissue becomes difficult to separate from the substrates without damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveformation of muscle fibers and sarcomeric structuresVSAvoidease of separation from substrate

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The water-soluble polymer material serves as a mediator that maintains the cell tissue's attachment to substrates during culture (enabling proper muscle fiber formation) while facilitating easy separation afterward. The holding material is dissolved in water to release the cell tissue without direct mechanical contact during separation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical state of the holding material from solid/gel during culture to dissolved state in water for separation. By controlling the solubility parameter of the water-soluble polymer, the system transitions from a state that supports muscle fiber formation to a state that enables damage-free separation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This method effectively prevents damage to cell tissues during separation, enhancing recovery efficiency by protecting the tissues with a holding material and allowing for easy handling and alignment of the tissues.

Implementation Method 1

filling a soluble liquid holding material that cures under a predetermined condition between the first substrate and the second substrate; curing the filled holding material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCuring: Phase Change

Data Source

PatentUS20260015570A1Production Method and Culture Device of Cell Tissue

Publication Date: 2026.01.15 SHIMADZU CORP

AI summary

The production method includes: filling a soluble liquid holding material that cures under a predetermined condition between a first substrate and a second substrate; curing the filled holding material; and separating at least one cell tissue from at least one of the first substrate and the second substrate by cutting out the cured holding material from the first substrate and the second substrate.